Davis Love III shot his second straight five-under-par 67 to take a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California.
Two years ago at this tournament, Love fired a final-round 63 to erase a seven-shot deficit and end a two-year victory drought on the PGA Tour. This year he has a 54-hole score of 10-under 206.
Canadian left-hander Mike Weir, former Player of the Year Tom Lehman and Australian rookie Rod Pampling are tied for second.
Coming off a victory at last week's Bob Hope Classic, Weir matched Love's 67 in a bid to join Ernie Els as a double winner in the first five weeks of the season.
A four-under 68 left Rocco Mediate four shots off the pace on 209.
Six players are another stroke back, including second-round leader Jim Furyk, who stumbled to a one-over 73 at the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Matt Gogel became the first defending champion to miss the cut this season, coming in with a three-round total of 15-over 231.